In Missouri, when a motor vehicle accident happens, the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating those who were injured in the crash. Establishing who was at fault is necessary, but it can be a complicated task in multi-vehicle accident cases.
How do you know who is liable for a multi-vehicle car accident in Missouri, and how can you prove they were responsible so that you can recover maximum compensation for your injuries?
Who Is Liable for a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
In Missouri, a vehicle crash victim files a car accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and negotiates with the insurer for compensation. However, when multiple vehicles are involved, determining who is liable can be challenging.
Parties that may be liable for causing a multi-vehicle crash in Missouri can include:
- One or more motorists
- A vehicle’s owner
- An employer
- A car or parts manufacturer
- Government entities
Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule comes into play once a court has examined the evidence presented and determined each party’s level of fault for causing the accident. Under the pure comparative fault rule, the parties’ compensation will be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault for causing the wreck. For example, an individual who is ten percent at fault for causing a collision will have their overall compensation reduced by ten percent.
Even parties predominantly responsible for causing a car accident can recover compensation under pure comparative fault. Someone who is 99 percent responsible can collect one percent of their compensable losses from the other party. However, they are still on the hook for covering the losses of the other accident victims.
In multi-vehicle accidents, the court considers all involved parties to determine who is responsible for contributing to the crash.
Proving Liability in a Missouri Multi-Vehicle Accident
Proving liability in multi-vehicle accidents is challenging. Evidence is vital for proving fault and showing how each party’s actions contributed to causing the collision. Evidence that can be crucial to building a solid compensation claim can include:
- The responding police officer’s testimony
- Photos and videos of the scene
- Witness statements
- Surveillance video or dash camera footage
- Medical records
- Cellular phone records
- Electronic data from the vehicle’s ECM (black box)
- Accident reconstruction expert testimony
- Other expert witness testimony
Multi-vehicle accidents are more complicated than other types of Missouri car accidents because of the number of people involved and the potential variables that can factor into such an accident. It is always best to consult an experienced car accident attorney immediately after a multi-vehicle crash. They can collect and preserve evidence before it can be lost or destroyed in the aftermath of the incident.
A St. Louis Car Accident Attorney Is Ready to Take Action to Protect You
At Holland Injury Law, LLC, our car accident lawyers have recovered over $300 Million for 7,000+ clients. You can count on us to deliver results and staunch legal representation.
Contact our office today to set up a free initial consultation.